WYLDER'S HAJVD.
271
"Why, Stanley, they told me you were gone to Naun-
ton."
"Oh! did they? Well, you see, I'm here. Radie."
Somehow he was not very well pleased to see her.
"I think you'll find Dorcas in the drawing-room, or
else in the conservatory," he added.
"I am glad, Stanley, I happened to meet you. Some-
thing must be done in the matter I spoke of immediately.
Have you considered it?"
"Most carefully," said Stanley, quietly
"But you have done nothing."
"It is not a thing to be done in a moment."
"You can, if you please, do a great deal in a mo-
ment."
"Certainly; but I may repent it afterwards."
"Stanley, you may regret postponing it, much more."
"You have no idea, Rachel, how very tiresome you've
grown."
"Yes, Stanley, I can quite understand it. It would
have been better for you, perhaps for myself, I had died
long ago."
"Well, that is another thing; but in the meantime, I
assure you, Rachel, you are disposed to be very imperti-
nent."
"Very impertinent; yes, indeed, Stanley, and so I
Bhall continue to be until" —
"Pray how does it concern you? I say it is no busi-
ness on earth of yours."
Stanley Lake was growing angry.
"Yes, Stanley, it does concern me."
"That is false."
"True, true, sir. Oh, Stanley, it is a load upon my
eonscience — a mountain — a mountain between me and
my hopes. I can't endure the misery to which you would